Fencing-Kharlan claims Ukraine's first medal with bronze in women's sabre

PARIS : Olga Kharlan claimed a dramatic bronze medal for Ukraine as she rallied from a six-point deficit to beat Choi Sebin of South Korea and hand her country its first medal at the Paris Games, in the women's sabre on Monday.

Kharlan, now a five-time Olympic medallist, came from six points down to triumph 15-14 to the cheers of an ecstatic crowd at the Grand Palais.

The former world champion, who won her first Olympic medal earning gold in the 2008 team event, returns to an Olympic podium after being ousted in the Round of 32 at the Tokyo Games three years ago.

Kharlan, 33, reached the Paris Games through an invitation by the IOC after being disqualified for refusing to shake hands with a Russian opponent at last year's World Championships in Milan.

Later, Manon Apithy-Brunet clinched the gold medal as she prevailed against Sara Balzer in an all-French final.